Lid opener for receptacles



Junell, 1929. B, P L K "1,717,252,

LID OPENER FOR RECEPTACLES Original Filed Nov. 25, 1926 Patented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATES I 1,717,252 PATENT OFF1CE..,

BOl-IUMIL POLAK, OF PRAI-IA-KARLIN, CZECHOSLO VAKIA.

LID OPENER FOB RECEPTACLES.

Original application filed November 23, 1926, Serial No. 150,311, and in Czechoslovakia April 28, 1926.

Divided and this application filed November 29, 1927.

This invention relates to lid openers for closed receptacles and is a division of my pending application Serial No. 150,311, filed November 23, 1926. In said pending application, the principle of the invention is disclosed broadly, being identified with a sheet metal opener, in which the necessary stiffness is provided by forming a flange around the periphery of the opener, and in which engagement with the edge of the lid of the receptacle is assured by forming the flange with a groove in which the edge of the lid normally rests when the receptacle is closed.

The present invention relates to a specific embodiment of this principle, and has for its specific object, the provision of a lid opener of general oval form, having embossed finger grips adjacent the ends of its major axis, said grips providing additional stiffening for the device, and carrying in those parts which merge with the edge of the oval a continuation of the lid engaging groove, so that not only is the whole device stiffened to resist bending, but a powerful leverage is provided,

' inasmuch as when one of the ends of the oval,

adjacent one of the finger grips is in engagement with the lid,the other grip lying at the other end of the major axis of the oval acts as a lever through which a powerful prying force is applied to the lid about a pivot or fulcrum located at an intermediate point of the oval, preferably at the point of intersection of the major and minor axes thereof.

The present specific embodiment of the invcntion is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a. side elevation of a portion of a closed receptacle, showing the lid opener in normal or inactive position. Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 8 is a section taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Referring now in detail to the several figures, the reference character (Z represents the box or receptacle, 6 being the lid, which as shown in Fig. has the edge thereof closely overlapping the open end of the receptacle. At a suitable point in the circumference of the receptacle, the lid opener is secured preferably by a suitable pivot indicated at b at Fig. 8.

The lid opener is, as is shown, of oval form, having major and minor axes 22 and 3--3 at the point of intersection. of which the piveta]v connection with the side of the receptacle is located. Adjacent the ends of the major Serial No. 236,568.

axis, the lid opener is provided with struck up portions h forming finger grips as shown in the illustration. These are preferably round at their bases, and have outwardly extending lugs. The entire circumference of the oval, including the outer peripheral portions of the finger grips are formed with an angular flange 71, lending structural stiifness to the entire device, and this flange is formed with a continuous groove, indicated at f in Fig. 3. It will be noted from Fig.3 that the side of the receptacle in the region of the lid opener, is slightly depressed a short distance below the edge, so as to permit the edge of the groove f of the flange thereof, normally to fit under the edge. of the lid, as shown, while at the same time ensuring a close fit between the lid and the receptacle. This depression may be made in practice at the same time the rivet b is put in place. The id opener may be stiffened if desired, by the provision ribs'j intersecting the intermedi ate portion between the finger grips and the peripheral flange.

In'operation, the lid opener is rotated by force applied by the fingers to bothof the finger grips. Since these grips are at the ends of the major axis of the oval, and themselves perform an active part in raising the lid, it is clear that. they must be stiffened sufiiciently to bear the brunt of the prying operation. This is taken care of by the construction of the broad, embossed stiffening bases of the finger grips. The position of the grips also has the advantage that when one of the finger grips reaches the edge of the lid, in the course of rotation of the device, the force applied to the opposite finger grip is multiplied by its transmission through a lever having the length of the major axis and pivoted at an intermediate point. This gives a powerful prying effect to'the de vice while at the same time the end immediately engaged with the lid is given lateral support by the finger which presses this grip.

YVhile I have in the above description defined a specific embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that the invention is not'limited to the specific construction shown except in so far as it is restricted by the terms of the appended claims.

l/Vhat I claim is: y p

A lid opening device for closed receptacles comprising in combination, a receptacle with telescoping lid, said receptacle having a depressed area at one point below said lid, a sheet metal member of general oval form including a web portion adapted to be pivoted to the side of the receptacle in said depressed area, and reinforced all the way about its periphery by an angularly disposed flange, said flange being grooved to receive the edge, of the lid, said member being formed adjacent the ends of its major axis with embossed finger grips, bent perpendicularly to said web portion and then outwardly, the perpendicular portions being curved to increase the stiffness thereof and the outward portions having peripheral flanges extending toward said receptacle.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

BOHUMIL POLAK. 

